University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame, Sydney is based in Darlinghurst, just minutes away from the CBD. The School is committed to excellence in medical education. As a part of this commitment the School offers this part-time Academic Extended Skills Post. It is a 0.5 FTE per week appointment which is equally divided over the course of the 12 months between teaching as a PBL tutor and conducting an academic research project.

Areas of research interest/activity/expertise

The University can provide a range of medical research projects with access to supervisors through the Sydney School of medicine.

We are currently undertaking a range of primary care research projects that cover the topics including preventive health care, quality improvement, cardiovascular and diabetes, exercise and medical education. These are qualitative, quantitative and mixed method design projects.

We also encourage and support students who have a research question of their own that they would like to pursue.

Current research projects in which there is potential for academic registrar involvement

The successful Registrar will have the opportunity to work as a Tutor for first year medical students for 12 months. It is a multifaceted position involved in PBL tutoring, Clinical and Communication Skills teaching, pastoral care, curriculum development, selection of students, examining, marking and assessment amongst other responsibilities.

You will find this an intellectually stimulating position as you will be tutoring a small group (8) of students from their very first day in medicine. It will challenge you and force you to apply first principles to many issues you now take for granted. There is a high level of support provided to assist the successful Registrar in tutoring for PBL and Clinical and communication skills for the post graduate medical program.

The team is both extremely supportive and collegiate, offering extensive on-the-job training. Many tutor meetings and pastoral care interactions take place in local cafes and bars.

This is an excellent opportunity to work with a highly regarded, friendly university team with tremendous access to senior academic staff.

Teaching opportunities for registrars

Quality of referrals between primary and tertiary health care systems

Familial Hypercholesterolaemia identification and prevention in the primary care setting

Previous registrar research

Visit the university website for further information on previous registrar research projects.

Academic supervisors

Associate Professor Charlotte Hespe

Charlotte is Head of General Practice and Primary Care Research for the Notre Dame Post Graduate Medical Program. She has a long history of GP teaching and has been a former chair of the GP Synergy board.

Charlotte works as a GP and supervises registrars for GP Synergy and teaches medical students within her group Family Medical Practice in Glebe. Charlotte is also the current Chair of the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN. She is actively involved with the Royal Australian College of GP and is currently Deputy Chair of the NSW/ACT Faculty Board. She was the national coordinator for the OSCE and on the Board of Assessment from 2004-2011.

Dr Aline Smith

Aline has a broad experience in general practice. Graduating in 1986, Aline gained child health experience through working in community paediatrics and in women’s health issues with the Family Planning NSW and at the Liverpool Womens Health Centre. Aline is registered to provide shared antenatal care at RPA and Canterbury hospitals with public and private obstetricians. Aline is experienced in helping people with a variety of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders through her skills in counselling. She is also committed to providing medical care to people with a broad range of physical and mental disabilities. Aline is involved in medical education as a supervisor for GP registrar training as well as teaching medical students at the practice. Since 2008 Aline has had an appointment as senior lecturer at the University of Notre Dame School of Medicine, Sydney.

Testimonials

Dr Vanessa Acrero Perdomo (2013 Registrar)

The position exposes you to all aspects of medical education allowing you to be involved in medical education research, teach PBL and Clinical skills, review curriculum, assessment and develop exam questions. I assisted in design and implementation of a research project on peer observation tool for PBL teaching which has been an incredibly educational experience. The workplace is friendly and encouraging. Weekly tutor meetings enable us to share reflective teaching experiences to improve teaching. I highly recommend this placement to anyone who is considering a medical education career and who is keen to learn new skills plus to develop academic experience.

Dr Shannon Saad (2011 Registrar)

Notre Dame School of Medicine is an innovative new medical school, that puts an emphasis on student exposure to clinician-educators. The main role for registrars as senior lecturers includes PBL tutorial facilitation and the teaching of communications and clinical skills. Registrars are part of a team of clinicians. Each clinician-educator is allocated a group of students who they mentor through their first year in medical school. This is a very rewarding experience in itself. Furthermore, at the School of Medicine the development of skills in education is supported by participation in assessment procedures, curriculum review and medical school candidate selection. The university feels strongly about supporting the development of its teaching staff, and gives them the opportunity to undertake the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching. Staff and supervisors are knowledgeable and supportive, and there is a wonderfully enriching social culture amongst the team. Registrars completing this term will have updated their medical knowledge, made friendships with both staff and students and gained invaluable experience and qualifications in medical education.

Find out what it’s like training with the leading provider of GP training in Australia

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